Türkiye reiterates condemnation of attacks on Quran in Europe

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye on Friday reiterated its strong condemnation of attacks on the holy Quran in Europe, terming it a plague.

Speaking at the joint news conference with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto in Budapest, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he believes the Islamic world will take some decisions at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting on July 31.

"Looking at recent history, there are many lessons to be learned. Everything in Europe started with book burning, and those books were burned under state supervision ... After the burning of books, there were concentration camps, and we know what happened after that," he said.

Türkiye believes that insulting sacred books under state supervision and defining it as freedom of expression is not correct, Fidan said, adding: "Strategic, social, and other developments that will arise from this are not well understood."

Türkiye cannot tolerate the denigration of sacred values, he added.

"We think that European politicians and statesmen are just starting to develop awareness on this issue, and although we see some awareness, how they will reflect this in their practices and policymaking remains to be seen," the Turkish diplomat argued.

"We will continue to show our strongest reaction on international platforms, and continue our efforts to increase international solidarity and cooperation on this matter."

In the past few days, copies of the Quran were burned in Sweden and Denmark, actions that met widespread condemnation from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.